The Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program will hold an open symposium from 2-4 p.m. Friday in the engineering center lobby.
The event features posters on student research conducted over the academic year and light refreshments will be served. Posters come from all departments in the college and top participants were selected after giving a presentation on their research for review prior to spring break. Topics on display this year include wildfire spread, virtual reality for spacecraft habitat design and biofiltration in water reuse among many others.
Sharon Anderson, the director of active learning at the college, said the event showcases the hard work and long hours students put in over the academic year.
“Attending the DLA symposium is a great way for faculty, staff and students to get a glimpse at some of the research currently going on in the college,” she said. “It’s a great way to see the research and to get to know some of the students involved.”
The Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program supplements classroom instruction with real-world engineering research experience for undergraduates. Students in the program earn hourly wages — currently $12 an hour for up to 300 hours over the academic year — while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students. Additionally, all students get training in technical writing and presentation skills.
The program is open to all students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who have not been in it, or the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research, before. Applications for the upcoming 2019/2020 cycle of the program can be submitted through April 30. A list of available projects to work on can be found online.
Notification about acceptance to the program will be delivered in early June.
Anderson said the program was a great opportunity for students, noting that exposing undergrads to research is a fundamental part of the university’s mission.
“The program is a great way for a faculty to try out a student and a great way for students to try their hand at research,” she said.